Rakia
Feminine
Rakia is a name whose letters match three unrelated words: the Hebrew raqia, the firmament of the first chapter of Genesis; an Arabic name from a root meaning to rise; and rakia, the fruit brandy of the Balkans. The American record does not say which, if any, a family had in mind.
How old is the name Rakia?
Rakia first appears in US birth records in 1974 — 51 years ago. The typical Rakia alive today was born around 1992, making them about 33 years old. About 500 people named Rakia are estimated to be alive in the US today.
When was the name Rakia most popular?
Rakia peaked in 1989, reaching #3893 nationally. See the whole 1989 chart.
Where it comes from
Origin, sound and short forms
Our story of Rakia
Rakia sits where three words from three languages happen to meet. In Hebrew, raqia is the firmament of Genesis, the vault set in the middle of the waters on the second day to divide the waters below from the waters above, a word built from a verb for beating metal thin. In Arabic, the letters r-q-y belong to rising, the same root behind taraqqi, progress. Across the Balkans, rakia is the fruit brandy of Serbia and Bulgaria. The name carries none of these by descent, as far as any record shows, but it stands at the crossroads of all three.
Meaningnot established
Not established
No source is documented for the American name. It resembles the Arabic Raqiya, from a root meaning 'to rise, ascend,' but nothing records that the name came from it. The Hebrew raqia, 'firmament,' and the Balkan brandy rakia are separate words.
Pronouncing Rakia
No single saying is settled; rah-KEE-uh and RAH-kee-uh both occur. The Balkan brandy is stressed on its first syllable.
What the data says
146 years of official birth records
The long climb, and where it stands now
The same years in position rather than babies
- First recorded
- 1974
- Most girls named
- 199927 — the highest on record
- Peak rank
- #3893reached in 1989
- Change vs 2010
- −16.7%5 in 2012, from 6
Rank is a position, a count is a headcount, and they move independently — a name can hold its rank while the number of babies behind it falls. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration.
Rakias among us
people named Rakia are estimated to be alive in the US today
Estimated from SSA birth records and published actuarial life tables. Method
Is it right for you
Questions parents actually ask
Fashion outlook
Rakia sits outside the current charts, and that is its own kind of answer: naming cycles can only date the names they carried up. A name this rare has no decade stamped on it — it cannot go out of fashion, because it was never in.
Based on 146 years of naming cycles. How we read them
The trade-off
- Short and easy to spell.
- Three real words stand behind its letters, which makes for a good story.
- Rare, so it will seldom be shared.
- Anyone from the Balkans, and many travelers, will hear the name of a strong fruit brandy.
- Its source is not recorded, so the family's own story is the only answer to what it means.
Nobody names a baby alone.
Put Rakia to the vote.
Add it to a family vote or a couple’s swipe deck — the other person gets one card, a simple answer and room to say why. No app, no account for them.
Only the people you invite can see your list.
Already decided on Rakia? Hide it among decoys and let them guess.
What they receive
Someone added a name to your list
Rakia
Feminine
Frequently asked
- How many Rakias are there in the world?
- No country counts the world's names, so there is no worldwide figure — anyone quoting one is estimating. About 500 people named Rakia are estimated to be alive in the US today.
- How popular is the name Rakia in 2025?
- Rakia is rarely given in the US today — it does not rank in the top 2000 girl names.
- Will my child share the name Rakia with classmates?
- Rakia will almost certainly be the only one in school.
More R names
The most-given names starting with R, all years combined.
Ruth#173 · Rebecca#349 · Rachel#250 · Rose#114 · Ruby#64 · Robin#704 · Rita#1285 · Rhonda#6116
Looking for what else is popular rather than what resembles Rakia? See the current top 100.
Choosing between Rakia and another name?
See them side by side — full stats, history and a gentle verdict.
Compare side by sideIn a hurry? Just pick a winner — one tap, no sign-up, and you see how everyone else voted.
Weighing a whole shortlist? Add the rest in the builder, or settle it with a bracket.
Cast your vote
Which one would you pick?
Your gut first, the numbers after — the split shows once you pick.
US figures from the Social Security Administration. 1880–2025. Data & methodology
No advertising trackers and no data sellinghow we handle your dataindependent and founder-run, about Name Battle